A tourist in my own backyard - New Orleans, LA

On the weekend of March 7th-10th, I, the Travel Beggar and my beautiful girlfriend decided to have a anniversary vacation in my own backyard, New Orleans, LA. So often, people think vacations have to be this elaborate organization or adventure that they often overlook the wonderful things in their own city. Of course, living in New Orleans, LA makes it easier to recognize the blessings that I have. So my adventure goes as follows:

March 7th, 2008:

We arrived at the Harrah's Hotel New Orleans. It was truly a beautiful

hotel that I got for free by taking advantage of a casino promotion. I

really wasn't expecting much, however, the hotel definately exceeded

my expectations. The beauty of the harrah's hotel is only coupled by its convenient access to the Mississippi riverfront and french quarter. The room was a basic room but was extremely clean and the bathroom was extremely spacious with not only a shower but a large bathtub. From there we took advantage of the seafood buffett at the casino due to the fact that it was a friday in lent and we wanted to find an easy way to observe the lenten fast. Afterwards, we relaxed in the room and enjoyed the scenery of the rolling Mississippi River.

March 8th, 2008:

One of the greatest parts of a vacation in your own backyard is the lazy approach to the day that often gets lost at your own house. Saturday morning was definately a lazy morning. It had been a cold week and the weather was finally warming up but we wanted to relax in the room while mother nature slightly turned up the thermastat.

Then around noon we embarked on our French Quarter adventure. The French Quarter is definately a walking adventure so we put on some comfortable shoes and some warm clothes and headed out. We first ate at Cafe Maspero's on Decatur. Many people think that this is the famous slave quarters but that is in fact around the corner near the Napolean House. However, they do make a good shrimp sandwich thats quick and easy to eat. If you ever go there, please note that they only take CASH.

After a hearty lunch, we continued on our walk around Jackson Square. On any given day, you will see countless artists, musicians, mimes, and mystics looking to tell your fortune out there. It is interesting to think that you could be looking at the next Rodrigue painting or Louis Armstrong sitting about entertaining the masses. One cool fact about the artists around Jackson Square is that they have to portray original art. According to ordinances hanging about, there are no screened copies or computer replicas allowed to be sold. Although, the ideas maynot be original, the works are made by hand by the people selling them.

From Jackson Square, we went around the side of the St. Louis Cathedral, and made our way down Pirates' Alley. Here we came upon the Faulkner House which was built in 1840. William Faulkner wrote his first novel, Soldiers Pay, here in 1925. It is now a great bookstore run by members of the Faulkner Society. My girlfriend is a big fan & member of that society, so she was able to indulge in her obsession of the great southern author. Then we walked right next door the enjoy a cigar, and an absenthe based sazerac at the Pirates Alley Bar. It was a great way to end a perfect afternoon.

We then returned to the hotel room to get cleaned, showered, and then made our way to a nice Uptown restaurant called Lilettes' where we celebrated the fact that she was able to deal with the Travel Beggar for a whole entire year.

March 9th, 2008:

New Orleans has many a grand Sunday Brunches, however, they are often at the nicer restaurants and hotels. Also, one of the great staples of the French Quarter is Cafe Du Monde where you can get a wonderful plate of beingets and some coffee. However, we were in the mood for some regular eggs, so after getting some breakfast we continued on our walking tour of the French Quarter. There are so many shops, boutiques, and galleries that it is much like walking through free museums.

Now in New Orleans, you need to experience the history, the food, the people, the music, and of course the cocktails. New Orleans is the originator of the cocktail with the Sazerac & has perfected many drinks like the Hurricane, the Vieux Carre, the Brandy Milk Punch, the Monsoon, the Mint Julep, etc. So who am I not to partake in the "spirits" of the city. In Fact, its part of my 5 point guideline to travel. Therefore, we headed first over to Pat O'Briens and sat out in the Beautiful Patio Bar. If you are in New Orleans, and the weather is nice, then this is the place to be. We sat out and enjoyed the warming weather and cool breeze, watched the people come and go, listened to music over the outdoor speakers, sipped our Hurricanes, all while I smoked a good Rocky Patel Cigar. The day couldn't get any better or so we thought.

After Pat O's, we then decided spur of the moment to check out another famous bar, the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone. This was a great call. I had been here a couple of times before, but today was the first time that I have ever experienced the Carousel Bar. I owe this great experience to my girlfriend of course but also to perhaps the greatest bartender that I have ever met, Marvin Allen. Marvin, so say it so crudely, is the MAN! He has been a bartender there for many years and has helped with the invention of many new and unique drinks that are now mainstays of the Carousel Bar amoung other bars throughout the worlds. When we got there, we told him that we were locals in search of the famous Carousel Bar cocktail that was mentioned in the Obituary Cocktail Book. He quickly and yet gracefully made the Vieux Carre' and placed it before me. Now, in the past year, I have been totally and obsessively addicted to Sazeracs, however, after 2 sips of the Vieux Carre', I may have to only drink at this bar. Marvin, made our afternoon, even as people would come in, he would come check on us and ask us about our adventures in New Orleans this weekend. He also introduced us to the Creole Shrub & the New Orleans Sunset, a specialty of his that he created with the New Orleans Absolute Vodka. I strongly recommend that if you are in New Orleans, you need to visit Marvin at the Carousel Bar. He is there Thursday through Sundays from 11am to 6pm. Tell him that the Travel Beggar sent you and enjoy the show.

After several hours at the Carousel Bar, we made our way back to the Harrah's Hotel. We decided to relax and stay in for the rest of the evening. Perhaps, we were tired or maybe we couldn't imagine it getting any better. So were the 5 Guidelines of the Travel Beggar Met?

1)Adventure Activity/Sport: Walking...sometimes walking is more exercise then i get in weeks

2) Local Food/Spirits: Shrimp Poboys at Maspero's....Sazeracs at the Pirates alley Bar, Hurricanes at Pat O'Briens...and Vieux Carre's at the Carousel Bar

3) Nightlife: romantic dinner at Lilettes in Uptown

4) Cultural/Educational Experience: Exploring Faulkners' old haunts

5) Friends - New & Old: the Travel Beggar's girlfriend & Marvin at the Carousel Bar

What do you think about our adventures in New Orleans? Did I fullfill the 5 guidelines? Let me know by leaving a comment.